Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-07-23
A BEAUTY'S CHOICE.
BY MARTHA. DALZELL.

name the admirers of Estelle Glyndon had
given to her, and, petted and praised for
her grace and beauty as she had always
been, it was hardly to be wondered at that
zhe girl had come to the age of Is with a
ezonviction that not for her were the trials
of life.
Deep down in the girlish heart slumbered
many noble impulses; but on the surface
fhe rank plant of worldly pride had taken
root.
As she stands now, beneath the shade of
the old oak which guards her favOrite seat,
ehe most casual observer could not help but
pronounce her rarely beautiful. The
breeze is lifting gently the dark locks from
the blue-veined temples, and its rude
<aresses have called up to the rounded
cheek delicate peach-bloom. But the
lovely mouth is marred by naughty ex-
preston, as with averted head she listens
ooldly to the young man by her side.
1t is Douglas Macdonald, and in earnest
tones he is speaking thus: "Oh, Estelle,
can it be that I have deceived myself in
thinking that you cared for me? And all
1Ais summer, in which I have been so
soolishly happy, have you only been play
ing with me? It cannot be true; you cam
not be SO heartless! I have been told that
Foster Severne is the favored sutton who
has superseded me; but I said that until
you confirmed it with your own lips would
act believe it. Oh, my darling, whom
love more than life, do not be so cold!
look up, Estelle, and tell me it is false!"
He had been growing more impassioned
ss he went on, and now he seized her
hand.
At his touch strange thrill shot through
Estelle's heart, and suddenly a mask
seemed to fall before her eyes. In that
/; moment she knew that she loved this man
thus pleading before her.
Estelle hesitated. Only the previous
day another had laid his heart at her feet,
and with it the richest fortune in all the
country round.
She had not given her answer; but in her
young heart pride was very strong, and she
felt that to be mistress of The Elms would
be an enviable position.
Then tho thought flashed swiftly through
i7er mind of what her father would say if
abe should tell him that, for the sake of
>one who, though noble and respected, was
poor, she had refused another who could
keep her in the atmosphere of luxury in
which she had been born.
Douglas, eagerly watching her express
i've features, con ectured her thoughts.
81 see!" he exclaimed; at was true-the
report 7 heard. You intend to marry
Foster Severne-dissipated man of the
world though he be-simply because he is
rich in this worlds goods!"
Nbe delicate hue on Estelle's countenance
changed to burning red.
You have no right, Mr.. Macdonald, to
speak thus TO mel"
mo right" he exclaimed; "when love
you, Estelie, and see you booming yourself
20 lifelong unhappiness? Listen" he
went on, as she was about to speak. Il
came day to ask you q question upon
which q great deal depended. Two open
tngs are before me-one to settle in an
honorable position in my native town: the
other to 60 abroad, far away to the distant
hand of China. You do not love me-my
choice Is made. This will be my last fare
.vell Tomorrow viii see me on my way
10 q foreign Shore"
He grasped her hand, wrung It; then,
without waiting for answering words,
4urned and left her. She watched his tall
suddenly, with lightning flash, the know
ledge of what she had done came to her,
and she realized that in rejecting Douglas
Nacdonalds love she had wrecked beyond
Eetrieval the happiness Of her life.
Thatevening we see her in the midst of
. fashionable throng. Though the heart
bleed. it must not be worn on the sleeve for
davis to peck at, and Estelle is outwardly
calm, though one knowing her we'll would
wonder at her strange looks. Her roseate
satin robes sweep in rich, flowing folds
about her graceful figure, rendering even
more exquisitely white the dimpled neck
and arms upon which priceless diamonds
gleam and glisten.
As he looks down at the woman on his
arm, Foster Severne's heart leaps tri.
amphantly as he thinks how proud he will
Ss,e when he can call her his own. As if by
zaocident, he leads her to the conservatory,
swhere, amid the splash OF fountains and
sthe fragrance of flowers, he can speak un-
~distufbedly. There once more he offers
Aer his hand and his heart-all there is left
of it-and, never doubling what it viii be,
sswaits his answer.
Not for a moment does Estelle WAIVER.
Her reply is incorporating: aMr.
~Severne, cannot become your wife,"
An angry flush springs to tho young mans
&Ace.
sNiss Glyndoni Jon cannot mean what
.4you say TAink . little lonReri You